Cross Double Cancels Out Determined Cleve

Two tries from centre Mike Cross rescued a result for the men in lavender and black as they maintained their unbeaten record narrowly edging past Cleve United at the Hayfields.

Clifton, well rested after a fortnights rest due to the inclement weather, found their ranks depleted for the away journey. Fly-half Luke Blizzard, whose control over the game at Cinderford had helped claimed a key league scalp was unavailable and a 1st team call up for scrum-half George Thomas ensured they were without a complete pair of choice half-backs.

Veteran utility back Gareth Mason stepped into the number 9 shirt whilst promising young full-back James Simons slotted into the out-side half role for the first time.

A glance at the form book for this fixture over the past five years would suggest a likely Clifton win, however the visitors were under no illusion that with their 1st XV currently riding high in South-West 1 the home side were more than capable of providing an upset.

A messy first twenty minutes for both sides bore little reward. Cleve were unable to capitalise on a long-range penalty chance and likewise Clifton’s failed attempt to run the mis-struck kick out of their own 22 almost set the tone for the afternoon in a game where neither side could take a strangle hold.

Cleve continued to dominate possession, but with little outcome and with both sides equally matched in the scrum it became clear that the side that could seize their chances in broken play would come out best.

Sure enough it was Clifton who, after finally turning over quick ball managed to break free in the loose and inside centre Jack Watters was able to feed Cross who finished in the corner.

Unable to convert from out wide the one score remained the only difference between the two sides for most of the game.

Cleve, again with most of the possession battered away at the visitors mid-field even into the second half until an hour into play when an attack down the blind-side was thwarted by a well-read interception by Cross who darted through to score and temporarily take the wind out of a gritty Cleve performance.

Captain Fergus Manners, assuming the kicking duties converted from in front of the posts.

The home side though were determined not to back off and hit back after another period of sustained possession was rewarded with a well worked try from their centre who carved a line through to go over the line under the posts.

With the home side in the ascendency only Clifton’s fitness and calm tactical kicking into the corners kept Cleve at bay for the final 15 minutes.

Final score 12 – 7.

Tight-Head prop Ross Denton’s shift at the coal face was deservedly rewarded with the M-O-M award.

Cleve no doubt will look back at this game and view it is as the one that got away. Clifton likewise will interpret it as another job done, but a true wake-up call to the challenges of the next few weeks.

Next Saturday the Wanderers go searching for their first double win of the year as they travel to an in form Lydney United.